High-Rise Fires PDF

11 High-Rise Fires High-Rise Fire Definition and Hazards A *high-rise* is a building over 75 feet in height. A high-rise fire may be the most challenging and potentially lethal structure fire you will experience. The immense occupancy loads, tremen­ dous resource requirements, and labor-intensi...

11 High-Rise Fires High-Rise Fire Definition and Hazards A *high-rise* is a building over 75 feet in height. A high-rise fire may be the most challenging and potentially lethal structure fire you will experience. The immense occupancy loads, tremen­ dous resource requirements, and labor-intensive operations all make these incidents stagger­ ing. A working high-rise fire can be like battling multiple commercial fires at once that are stacked on top of each other. Civilians located many floors above the fire can be killed by smoke and fire gases. Everything moves slower on a high-rise fire, except the smoke and flames. If crews must ascend a stairwell from the lobby to the fire floor, it may take 60-90 seconds per floor for com­ panies to get to the fire floor from arrival on scene and have water flowing. Meanwhile, the fire is growing, and smoke is quickly rising through countless vertical avenues. The good news is that the building blocks of incident command you have learned thus far will provide an excellent foundation from which to build your knowledge, skills, and abilities, so you can ensure that you save savable civilian lives and your crews go home safe to their families. Pre-planning and training, including interface with the personnel at your high-rise build­ ings, is paramount. Knowledge of occupancy trends, fire suppression systems, elevators, HVAC systems, internal communications, stairwells, fire control rooms, FDCs, standpipes, and count­ less other factors will come into play on a significant high-rise fire. Never has the adage, "Every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought" been truer than in a high-rise fire. Knowing your enemy, battlefield, and tactical points of opportunity, combined with training, and knowing the time it takes to get water flowing on upper floors, will drive your incident command decision-making. **Consider the following from the NFPA:^1^** *From 2009-2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of14,500 structurefires* *in high-rise buildings per year.* *Thesefires caused an annual average of:* * 40 civilianfire deaths* * 520 civilian fire injuries* * \$154 million in direct property damage* *Five property use groups account for almost three-quarters (73%) of high-rise fires:* * Apartments or other multi-family housing (62% of all high-risefires)* * Hotels (4% of high-rise fires)* * Dormitories (4% of high-rise fires)* * Offices (2% of high-rise fires)* *- Facilities that care for the sick (2% of high-rise fires)* *Most of the remainingfires occurred in mixed-use residential or office buildings (such as* *restaurants, stores, and parking garages) or probable miscodes ofproperties that cannot* *be high-rise (such as one- or two-family homes and sheds).* *The fire death rate per 1,000 fires and the average loss per fire are generally lower in* *high-rise buildings than in other buildings of the same property use. High-rise buildings have lower percentages of fires with flame damage beyond room of origin, providing further* *evidence of impactfrom fire protection systems andfeatures:* * Apartments (4% of high-rise fires vs. 10%\> in shorter buildings)* * Hotels (4% of high-rise fires vs. 11% in shorter buildings)* * Dormitories (2% of high-rise vs. 1% in shorter buildings)* * Offices (10% of high-rise fires vs. 21% in shorter buildings)* * Facilities that carefor the sick (4% of high-rise fires vs. 9% in shorter buildings)* *High-rise buildings are more likely than shorter building to have fire-resistive construction* *and wet pipe sprinklers. These types of protection help preventfire spread.^2^* CASE STUDIES IN COMMAND CHIEF DAVE MCGRAIL, DENVER (CO) FIRE DEPARTMENT I responded with companies to investigate an automatic fire alarm from a downtown Denver high-rise building. There were no second-source 9-1-1 calls. I had been to this building (Granite Tower on 18th Street) many times before, mostly on elevator rescues, automatic alarms, and other emergencies. In fact, I've been to thousands of automatic alarms during my 42-year career, and will go to many more before I retire from active duty. Like most firefighters and fire officers across our great fire service, most of my automatic alarm responses have turned out to be something less than a significant emergency or working fire. And therein lies the crux of the problem---these high-frequency, low-acuity calls can cause a false sense of security among us as human beings. We can slowly drift into complacency, and that could be catastrophic; not only for us, but for those we've sworn to protect. In terms of high-rise command and coordination, here's my two cents. We are profes­ sional firefighters, and we must always act like it. Every time you respond to a high-rise building (or anywhere for that matter), take it seriously. High-rise buildings are large, complicated, and dangerous buildings. If you have drifted into complacency, you must get it together or find another job. Anyone around you, and especially under your com­ mand, who has drifted into complacency must be rescued today! It could be the most important grab you ever make. Item number one for the high-rise incident commander is call for help! You're going to need a significantly greater number of resources (specifically boots-on-the-ground firefighters) at a high-rise fire than for most other ground-based operations. The very best and most experienced big city fire departments across our fire service have automatic, built-in upgrades in response upon confirmation of a working fire in a high-rise building. For any large fire department, it should be at least an automatic second alarm. For small and medium-sized fire departments, figure out what your resource options are, both internal and external, well ahead of time. Furthermore, determine who they are and where they're coming from, such as automatic and mutual aid resources. Ideally, train with those resources, design and operate under the same procedures, protocols, guidelines, and so on, and ensure you're using the same equipment packages. A good baseline number to shoot for is 100 firefighters as soon as possible. When I arrived at Granite Tower just past midnight on that summer night, Tower 4 and Engine 6 were already on scene. There was nothing showing from the two sides I could immediately see of this large 33-story commercial high-rise building. Keep in mind, nothing showing really means nothing, especially at a large high-rise building. The first communication I received from Tower 4 was twofold: first, a very frightened building security guard met them at the lobby and reported a *\"bigfire"* (his words) in the elevator machine room at the 33rd-floor level. Further, Tower 4 reported that the elevators were malfunctioning and that Tower 4 and Engine 6 were proceeding to climb up and go to work. That's 33 flights in a commercial building, with an extra 75 to 100 lbs. of equipment, and doing it one mile above sea level. That requires top physical con­ dition, including cardiovascular/muscular endurance. Denver firefighters are some of the most physically fit firefighters in the world. For me as the incident commander, this opens up a whole lot of operational concerns for the welfare of the members under my command. Managing the risk just became much more difficult. Now, when I arrive at an automatic alarm with companies, I will usually go into the building and establish my CP at the fire command center (FCC). From this position, I can wear multiple hats and allow the fire companies, and specifically the company officer who would have had to stay at the FCC, to join, lead their crew, and focus on tactical and task-level operations. For those automatic alarms that escalate and become a significant emergency, including when an actual working fire is found upon investigation and recon, I will move back outside and establish my ICP, ideally with a two-sided view of the fire building. I will subsequently assign an incoming resource, ideally a chief officer, to the FCC as a systems control officer. Again, remember, the key to success here is that you must call for help early, from the outset, and call for lots of it. The primary focus must be to stop the fire and complete a search of the primary fire area. Yes, there is still plenty of strategic, tactical, and task-level work to complete, but stopping the fire and completing a primary search must be the focus. I emphasize this because I have found that too many fire departments are focused primarily on build­ ing a fancy command structure (checking boxes on tactical worksheet) than they are on stopping the fire and getting a search. All of these can and should occur simultaneously, but the vast majority of resources you have from the outset must be doing tactical- and task-level work. At the Granite Tower fire, I initially assigned the company officer from Tower 4 to be the fire floor division supervisor. Under their supervision was Tower 4, Engine 6, and Engine 3. Subsequently, I assigned my second-arriving district chief to assume the fire floor division supervisor position, with the Tower 4 company officer assigned back to his crew to work at that tactical and task level. We utilize divisions, especially in a high-rise environment, to divide up the geography and maintain a reasonable span of control. However, most of us don't have enough command resources to establish a division supervisor on every floor of a typical high-rise building. In addition, when things get really big and complicated, we tend to move toward section chiefs, and specifically establishing an operations section chief. Don't forget about branches. My recommendation is before we go for the finance, logis­ tics, operations, and planning (FLOP), consider the much-underutilized branch com­ ponent: specifically, for an escalating situation, a fire suppression branch, responsible for the fire floor, floor above, and floor below. Just three floors, but there's a lot going on in this area. The upper branch is responsible for all the floors above the floor above the fire floor (recon is critical here, with search and vent groups typically established and utilized). The interior support branch is responsible for every­ thing below the floor below the fire floor (including staging, rehab, stairway support, medical support, etc.). And last but not least, the exterior support branch is specifically responsible for everything necessary to support the firefight from outside the building (including a water supply group, base, etc.). At the Granite Tower fire, early reports from my first companies to reach the fire floor was that there was a working fire in the elevator machine room. What had started as an electrical fire was now very large and involved not only the elevator machinery but had communicated to the combustible (Class A) contents of this large machine room. The engine companies had stretched an attack line, but we needed to control and shut off the electrical power before a fire attack using water could be made. Further, truck companies needed to initiate and complete a search for life. At the ICP, I'm thinking what if an operating member or members sustain an electrical shock? What if the shock stops their heart? How do I get them down? My third-due truck company was assigned as a RIT from the outset. They made the climb up and established a position on the floor below. They were equipped with an automatic external defibrillator (AED). During the operation, second-alarm resources, including my systems control group, were able to establish emergency power to one low-rise bank elevator, giving us access from the main floor lobby (street level) to the 16th floor sky lobby. At this position (16th floor), I established a medical group with paramedics with ALS equipment. Needless to say, there were significant logistical challenges at this high-rise fire due to the lack of elevators. Multiple carbon dioxide (C0~2~) fire extinguishers were requested by the fire floor division. These are very heavy, cumbersome, torpedo-like pieces of equipment. Getting several from the street to the fire floor without elevators was a demanding task. I assigned four engine companies to assemble a stairway support team. One member, every other floor gave us a connection from the lobby to the 32nd floor. This made the call for and transport of additional equipment much easier to accomplish. We were able to get the local utility company to quickly respond and control/shutoff electrical power to the fire floor. Companies were able to extinguish the fire and com­ plete searches, which were negative for life. My message to you is this: take every automatic alarm seriously! Most will turn out to be benign, unremarkable events. However, some will be the real deal, challenging, high-risk operations. High-rise fires are very labor-intensive and logistically demand­ ing events. Always be prepared mentally and physically. Design, implement, and fre­ quently train on the ICS/NIMS components necessary to command and coordinate the high-risk operations of a high-rise firefight efficiently and effectively. SAW-CSS-RECEO-VSS for High-Rise Fires  The acronym SAW-CSS-RECEO-VSS is the tactical template for all types of incidents. This was first introduced in this text in chapter 7 for structure fires; however, it will be modified to apply to other incidents throughout the rest of this book, beginning with high-rise fires. High-rise fires are far more complex than any other structure fire. You can consider each floor involved and above the equivalent of a commercial structure fire and more. Most fire departments with a significant high-rise building presence will have a detailed high-rise policy and/or SOG. The FD document dictates agency-specific actions based upon their respective staffing and resource levels, history, fire and building codes, and interpretation of high-rise tactics (fig. 11-1). That said, there are universally accepted practices regarding high-rise fires that should be considered as a minimum and provide an excellent foundation for incident commanders to plan for, train upon, and execute high-rise fire operations. Each component has key points that should be considered. These are benchmarks that the IC and tactical supervisors should share and communicate. Again, these are minimums. Your agency's SOGs will likely be much more comprehensive. The foundation of high-rise operational and command considerations lies in a classic acro­ nym of ALS-BASE: attack, lobby, staging, BASE (where apparatus are parked). These compo­ nents comprise the initial considerations during the early stages of a high-rise fire. Simply stated, the first alarm should typically size up the fire floor location, initiate attack with water supply, control the lobby and elevators, set up staging two floors below the fire floor, and iden­ tify the location of a base for subsequent alarms. The following SAW-CSS-RECEO-VSS components go into more detail regarding the totality of high-rise tactical and command considerations. Key points are in *italics* and correspond with the tactical worksheet presented in this chapter. Again, refer to your own agency policy and SOGs. Size-Up Unlike a more common structure fire in a residential or commercial building, high-rises pres­ ent immense size-up and recon challenges. In addition to any sign of smoke or flames from the street, reconnaissance will be required in the lobby, control room, elevators, shafts, and on multiple floors. *Remember, size-up is a mental, ongoing process. You must think exponentially* *regarding the size-up of a high-risefire.* Based upon training and *pre-planning,* you may have information on the building that you can convey to the rest of the alarm while en route or upon arrival before you enter. High-rise buildings have different construction features, systems, retrofitting, and based on the era they were built, may or may not have adequate fire protection systems functioning. En route, try to determine if this is an office building or a residential apartment building and consider occupancy loads based upon the time of day you are responding. Start with your *FPODP or FIRST* algorithm from the street. If you have visible smoke or flames from the street, identify the estimated floor(s) involved and call additional alarms per your SOG. Locate an on-site *RP or building engineer* to get information and reconnaissance from the building systems and personnel. Control the *lobby* and get information from the *annunciator panel* and from any occu­ pants or on-site personnel, engineers, security, and so on. Recall and control the *elevators* per your SOG. Identify the location of smoke and fire and the *occupancy level with potential VP.* Is this an office building or residential apartment building, or mixed use? Do you have con­ firmed victims trapped or multiple reports of fire, or is this an alarm only with no 9-1-1 calls from occupants? If you have a working fire and decide to set up fire attack, *identify thefire attack stairwell* *versus the rescue/support stairwells* and communicate ASAP. This will alert subsequent companies and get them in proper positions to support your operation. Your initial size-up will conclude with an arrival report to incoming units; however, remember that size-up is continuous. As you talk to the RP, bystanders, occupants, employees, and check system status, you will garner more critical information. The IOCAN (see chapter 5) system is designed to give a quick arrival report. Your arrival report is likely dictated by your SOGs. Remember, size-up is continuous and high-rise fires will present uniquely challenging factors that cause you to be relentlessly vigilant as you ascend the building. Be sure to maintain clear communications as the incident escalates and conditions are confirmed. As you ascend, check lower floors to get oriented to the possible layout of the fire floor(s). Apparatus Placement The first engine will likely stage at the *lobby entrance.* The second engine will likely stage at the FDC for the standpipe of the attack stairwell while the crew assists in the lobby. If still in recon mode with no signs of fire, consider staging the balance of the alarm a block away with the exception of the first two engines and truck. Again, your SOG will dictate. Apparatus, hoselines, equipment, and personnel are all susceptible to falling glass and *debris* during a high-rise fire. Consider identifying safe access passages that are well-marked for members to move to and from the building. * Staging* for a working high-rise fire is typically two floors below the fire floor where subsequent personnel and equipment are located to support operations above. Based upon conditions and SOGs, a minimum of one full alarm should be considered minimum in staging at all times in a high-rise fire. A staging area manager should be identified ASAP. Unlike a ground-level structure fire, *equipment,* including SCBA cylinders, hose packs, forcible entry tools, long-handled tools, search ropes, portable radio batteries, EMS equipment, spanner wrenches, lights, water cans, and a host of other equipment should be taken to staging when initially entering the building. * Base* is the apparatus parking area for high-rise fires and should be located at least 200 feet away from the building. A dedicated base manager should be identified (fig. 11-2). * Trafficflow* into base should be identified early, as multiple alarms will likely be called to a working high-rise fire. Companies should avoid crossing into any falling debris area, the front of the building, or where hoselines are in place to support operations. Consider law enforcement early to assist with traffic coming into base. Water Supply Once the *fire attack companies and stairwell* are identified and confirmed, a water supply should be established as soon as possible to get water into the standpipe. Consult pre-plans or on-site building engineers for the presence and effectiveness of a fire pump to augment supply. Who is securing the water supply? This will be dictated by your SOG. Is this being accomplished with one or more companies? Hydrants are usually right next to the FDC; however, this is no guarantee that the hydrant is functional. Will this require a relay pumping operation and the establishment of a water supply group supervisor? Will there be a separate company pumping a sprinkler connection or is the standpipe a combination FDC for both sprinklers and firefighting standpipes (fig. 11-3)? Consider utilizing the fire control room or a building engineer to assist with manage­ ment of *water supply systems and pumps* when applicable. Depending upon the size of the  fire, a lobby control group may be adequate for lobby and systems (fire, HVAC, elevator, communications) management. If not, you may need both lobby and systems control groups. Once a patent water supply is established, it should be announced on all of the channels. Command Command must be established and announced ASAP. *There can only be one IC at a time, and* *the IC must be on scene to assume command and must name the incident.* While your SOGs will determine specific parameters, some fundamental best practices exist. There will be a lot on the shoulders of the first-arriving company officer who must assume command on a high-rise fire (even if it will be passed quickly to the next officer). Unlike a more common structure fire, a first-arriving company officer must contend with access to the lobby, annunciator panel, and interaction with multiple occupants and employees. Depending upon your SOGs, you may also be required to identify the fire attack stairwell and ascend to initiate fire attack on the fire floor with your crew(s). Command should be passed as soon as possible to the next officer, or first chief officer. Once a chief officer or permanent IC has arrived, the *ICP location* should be announced. The ICP is typically not best suited in the lobby of the involved building. The ICP should be away from the building, if possible, and away from the incident base (fig. 11-4). The IC should be able to see the conditions of the fire and flow of personnel into and out of the building, ideally. Consider the lobby of a nearby building with a good view. Call *additional alarms* early and confirm the base location.  Set up your *ICS* early; however, do not forsake resources needed to perform the immense number of tasks required to get water on the fire, and evacuations/searches underway. Develop a *communications plan* to prevent overtaxing a single tactical and/or command channel. Add additional command and tactical frequencies ahead of the incident. If possible, utilize the building public address (PA) system, fire phones, and obtain the lobby phone number. Strategy In a high-rise fire, size-up and initial condition reports on the fire floor will be delayed and likely change as companies ascend. You may find everything from fire showing from the street to a deep-seated working fire that grows exponentially as companies ascend to the fire floor, a room-and-contents fire that was contained by the sprinkler system, a burned-out light bal­ last, or something you never expected. Plan for the worst. * VP* can change dramatically as well. As with any incident, you must determine the incident priority/strategy: life saving, incident stabilization, property/environment priority; and *offensive, combination, or defensive strategy.* If you have a working fire with a well-developed high-rise SOG that dictates what each company should do, then follow it accordingly. Keep it simple. Keep it calm. High-rise fires will likely begin as life priorities and offen­ sive strategies that will likely be sustained longer than a more common structure fire. That said, using your routine terminology and confirming incident priority, strategy, tactical objectives, and location of the ICP will exude confidence in your crews that you are handling business. Do not let your voice pitch, tone, or volume change from what it would be on a house fire. This calm command presence will extend to all your compa­ nies and members. Safety Depending upon occupancy level and resources available, consider a rapid intervention plan early. The lag time to get companies to the fire floor and flowing water is significant. Plan ahead and get companies assigned to rapid intervention early to be in place as they get into the IDLH zone. Depending upon conditions, however, this may not be until later alarms. Just plan ahead. * BIC:* Unlike a more common structure fire, rapid intervention preparation will require at least two, if not more, companies. Consider an RIC group supervisor early located in staging on the fire floor with crews. When resources allow, bolster your RIC group. * The lobby* determines who comes and goes to and from the building and ascertains civilian occupancy levels. This may easily require two companies or more. As mentioned above, the lobby will also potentially be responsible for control of building systems via the *control room.* This includes *controlling elevators* to prevent crews from ascending too far in one bank. Crews should only use elevators if there are split banks to ascend to the fire floor. Separate from a medical group, the *medical unit* is focused solely on fire and emergency personnel injuries, treatment, and transport. Plan early for hydration and rotation of crews. 2-out and/or a backup line is critical on a high-rise fire. The fire flow required, and potentially advanced stages of a working high-rise fire, will necessitate multiple lines and potentially from multiple stairwells. If the fire is being attacked from two stairwells, the division supervisor of the fire floor should have a second officer on the opposing stairwell to assist with crew accountability. The IC would only communicate with the designated division supervisor. The other officer would be the division supervisor's eyes and ears on the other stairwell and com­ municate with the floor division supervisor. A separate *ISO* should be established and, depending upon the size and scope of the incident, may require assistants. The ISO can provide a level of redundancy and a second set of eyes to the IAP, and factors such as accountability, structural integrity, changing conditions, and so on. Additional considerations for high-rise fire safety include, but are not limited to, the following: ♦ External weather, wind, and flow path severely impacting fire conditions on fire attack crews ♦ Stack effect in stairwells creating lethal conditions above the fire floor ♦ Reverse stack effect creating lethal conditions below the fire floor ♦ Inability to control elevators ♦ Fire rapidly ascending through chases, elevator shafts, and lapping of compromised windows ♦ Excessive fire load from contents inside the structure ♦ Falling glass and debris in the street ♦ Crews becoming disoriented and running out of air ♦ Apparatus in the hot zone (see apparatus placement mentioned previously) ♦ Fatigued and dehydrated firefighters ♦ Extremely inexperienced firefighters or officers ♦ Highly emotional scene due to firefighter Mayday or excess victims ♦ Building's structural components compromised if exposed to prolonged flame impingement Rescue Remember, the victim profile drives *everything.* This is still true of high-rise fires. You must think globally regarding VP. High-rise buildings can have thousands of people inside, depend­ ing upon the building type, size, use, and time of day. Life is the first priority and rescue the first tactical consideration. That said, you *will have* *to get attack lines in place to save the most people, and that can take a lot of time.* For high-rise fires, search-and-rescue operations take on an entirely different scope. The potential for civilian injuries and fatalities is extraordinary. High-rise fires like the Twin Parks Fire in The Bronx, New York, 2022, are tragic examples. * Primary and secondary searches* will be much different and require expedient tactics. Searches on fire floors will likely be supervised by the division supervisor of the respec­ tive floor. If the building is residential, the potential for life loss could be immense. Lobby may be able to assist in ascertaining actual occupancy levels and locations for greater efficiency. A *Rapid Ascent Team (RAT)* is utilized to go to the upper floors above a fire and begin search and rescue as soon as possible due to the stack effect in stairwells. This may occur in the fire attack stairwell or a *separate evacuation stairwell,* or both, depending upon conditions. Consult your SOGs. Any RAT companies would report to the evacuation group supervisor, once established. * Evacuation* is typically for civilians away from and/or above/below the fire. They should be ambulatory and able to assist in their evacuation. *That said, the stack effect can be* *lethal when deadly smoke and gases ascend to upperfloors, as was the case in the Twin* *Parks Fire.* If you have minimal smoke and fire conditions and thousands of occupants, you may consider shelter-in-place based upon your SOGs. * Medical treatment and transport* functions should be established early under the direc­ tion of a medical group supervisor (MGS). Ensure you have advanced life support and transport capability on scene at all times, including ALS treatment in staging. Think MCI until proven otherwise (fig. 11.5). Exposures *Interior stairwells, shafts, chases, HVAC systems, andfloors above* all have potential for smoke and fire extension (fig. 11-6). The potential for smoke and gases to kill occupants above the fire due to the stack effect and flow path is exponentially greater in high-rise fires. Take nothing for granted and get above the fire ASAP. Extreme wind conditions, air operations, and *lapping of flames* from broken windows should all be factors that must be controlled to prevent extension as well. Fig.11-5. Any high-rise fire, no matter how small, can become an MCI due to stack effect on the floors and stairwells above. Plan ahead! *Source.* Photo courtesy of Steve Gentry Confinement As presented previously, confining a fire in a high-rise is far more challenging. The objective for confinement should be established and communicated early. Will the fire be contained to *one unit, onefloor, or multiple floors?* Typically, we don't think of confining smoke or gases. Smoke and fire gases are far more difficult to confine in high-rise fires and are more lethal than the flames (Twin Parks). Utilize HVAC systems and pressurized stairwells to confine gases and smoke when possible. Fire attack lines on the floor above may be required to confine the fire in addition to attack lines on the fire floor. Extinguishment Unlike supply, extinguishment is about the *size and number of attack lines.* What is the *fire flow required* for the floor(s) involved? The rule of thumb for high-rise fires is 216\" attack lines, although some fire departments may use 2\" attack lines. * Backup teams and crew rotations* make for a large demand on resources. Plan on attack teams, backup teams, and crews ready to rotate into the fight. The ability to sustain the fight to the point of extinguishment is vital, yet also dependent upon your staffing, training, response levels, water supply challenges, and systems (or lack thereof) in the building. Overhaul Do *not* rely on the TIC alone. Otherwise, you are asking for a rekindle. * Who* is responsible for overhaul and *where* is the priority? Ultimately, the division supervi­ sors) of the fire floor(s) will be responsible to confirm total and complete extinguishment. Be aware of hidden fire in shafts, chases, and any other vertical avenues of fire spread in *floors above,* all the way to the top of the building. Ventilation *Proper pressurization* of the stairwells is absolutely critical in high-rise operations. * Stack effect* is the movement of air in a high-rise building due to external and internal temperature fluctuations whereby lethal smoke and gases can settle far above the fire floor and other locations, putting occupants in peril. Remember, wind and weather can have an adverse effect on fire and smoke conditions on the *firefloor and throughout the building.* This can put both civilians and firefighters in peril. A combination of ventilation/pressurization tactics will be required to effectively control and remove smoke and gases from the building, and they must be *coordinated* through a ventilation group supervisor. Pressurization of stairwells and fire floors must be *coordinated* with the IC, ventilation group supervisor, and Division supervisors on the affected*firefloors.* * HVAC* systems must also be controlled and coordinated through the lobby or systems group supervisor. Salvage Salvage is a tertiary priority compared to fire attack, search, evacuation, ventilation, RIC, and medical. Floors below the fire floor are obviously most susceptible to water damage. Division supervisors will likely coordinate salvage operations in the later stages of the fire. What is the salvage plan? *Who* is conducting the salvage, *where* is the priority, and contact any *RP* if the fire is confined to one or two units. Support High-rise fires will require an immense amount of support. As a minimum, consider the following: Building engineers, site specialists, managers Lobby/systems control groups and control room access Dedicated dispatchers and additional command and tactical channels and phones Law enforcement (le) Incident safety officer (ISO) Public information officer (PIO) Liaison officer (LO) Logistics section (medical, communications, food/rehab, ground support, supply) Planning section (resource status, situation status, documentation, technical specialists, demobilization) Utility companies (gas, electricity, and water) Red Cross Rehab and medical unit for members Air/light units Air operations Hazmat team Investigator Tactical Worksheet---High-Rise Fire +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | s | Size-Up | □ Pre-Planning □ | | | | Lobby/Panel/Elevators | | | | □ ID Stairwells | | | | | | | | □ FPODP □ VP □ I0CAN | | | | | | | | □ RP/Engineer | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | A | Apparatus | □ Lobby □ Staging □ | | | | Base | | | | | | | | □ Debris □ Equipment | | | | □ Traffic Flow | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | W | Water Supply | □ FA Co. □ FDC/Supply | | | | Co. □ Pumps/Systems | | | | | | | | □ Attack Stairwell | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | C | Command | □ Name □ Additional | | | | Alarms □ Comms | | | | | | | | □ ICP □ ICS | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | S | Strategy | □ Confirm VP □ C □ D | | | | | | | | □ 0 | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | S | Safety | □ RIC □ Control Room | | | | □ Med Unit | | | | | | | | □ Lobby □ Elevator | | | | Control □ ISO | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | R | Rescue | □ 1^st^ □ RAT | | | | Stairwell □ Medical | | | | T/T | | | | | | | | □ 2^ni)^ □ Evacuation | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | E | Exposures | □ Interior | | | | Stairwells/Floors | | | | Above □ Exterior | | | | Lapping | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | C | Confinement | □ Unit □ Floor □ | | | | Multiple Floors | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | E | Extinguishment | □ Number of lines □ | | | | Flow Required □ | | | | Back-Up/Crew | | | | Rotations | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 0 | Overhaul | □ Who □ Where □ | | | | Floors above | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | V | Ventilation | □ Stairwell □ Fire | | | | Floor/Above □ HVAC | | | | | | | | Pressurization □ | | | | Coordination | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | S | Salvage | □ Who □ Where □ RP | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | S | Support | □ Building Engineer □ | | | | PIO □ Rehab/Med for | | | | FF | | | | | | | | □ Control Room □ | | | | Liaison □ Light/Air | | | | Units | | | | | | | | □ Comms □ Logs/Plans | | | | □ Air Resources | | | | | | | | □ Law □ Util □ Hazmat | | | | | | | | □ Safety □ Red Cross | | | | □ Invest | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ ICS and Communications for High-Rise Fires ICS is always incident-driven, and templating can help you get ahead of the incident power curve (fig, 11-7). That said, high-rise fires are extremely dynamic events that have the capac­ ity to quickly become overwhelming. There is a balance between organizing your incident with ICS to stay ahead and not getting overwhelmed, while not draining your limited resources from accomplishing the tasks required. As with any structure fire, the ICS Formula (B + C + R = ICS) applies. Consider the following: Building Is this an office or residential building, or a combination of both? Is this a modern high-rise with sophisticated fire suppression systems, or an old building without functioning sprinklers? Are there multiple stairwells on the corners or a single stairwell in the center? Conditions Is this an alarm with no signs/reports of fire? Is there a confirmed report of smoke and flames in the building? Is there smoke and fire visible from the street? What is the estimated occupancy load and are there confirmed victims trapped? Resources Do you have the capacity to fill multiple alarms? Will you rely on automatic/mutual aid, and will response times be delayed? How much overhead do you have to support your ICS? Do you have air resources and how would they be utilized? Consider the following templates as a starting point for given conditions. Remain pessimis­ tic and anticipate the incident escalating rapidly. These templates are just considerations. The actual incident and your SOGs and staffing will drive your operations. High-Rise Fire with Alarm Sounding Only  On these more common alarms, the opportunity to practice effective use of ICS and clear com­ munications will provide the foundation for more significant incidents later. As crews ascend and reach the fire floor, that floor will become your *first division.* The supervisor will likely be one of the first company officers to the fire floor; however, they will need to be backfilled with a chief officer if a working fire is confirmed. Division supervisors of fire floors will have the tactical objectives of fire attack *and* primary search on their respective floors. * Lobby/systems group* will be required to gain control of the lobby, read the annunciator panel, control access and elevators, and work with on-site personnel to better ascertain conditions above. Staging may not be needed if the alarm is false, or if there is an extinguished food-on-the-stove situation, for example. That said, all resources should continue as if there is a working fire until proven otherwise. This includes setting up staging and getting companies coming up, per your SOG, until conditions are confirmed to be stabilized (fig. 11-8). DIV X I LOBBY High-Rise Fire with Confirmed Fire Confined to One Unit Any confirmed fire in a high-rise has immense potential to be far more complex than is reported or seen upon arrival. Consider time-to-task completion and lag time to get resources on scene and to the fire floor. Call additional alarms upon confirmation of a high-rise fire (fig. 11-9). As crews ascend and reach the fire floor, that floor will become your *first division.* The supervisor will likely be one of the first company officers to the fire floor; however, they will need to be backfilled with a chief officer if a working fire is confirmed. Division supervisors of fire floors will have the tactical objectives of fire attack *and* primary search on their respective floors. * Lobby/systems group* will be required to gain control of the lobby, control access and elevators, and work with on-site personnel to better ascertain conditions above. In a confirmed fire, this will include utilizing any fire protection systems in the building including water pumps, PA, HVAC control, and so on. Staging will be established as companies muster toward the fire floor. *Identify a staging* *area manager.* Base will be established as the second alarm arrives. *Identify a base manager.* Consider an evacuation group supervisor for rapid ascent teams and additional division supervisor and companies above the fire floor to check extension. Depending upon your resource levels and SOGs, this may not occur until your second alarm, as the first alarm will be focused on getting water on the fire floor and controlling the lobby. Consider a medical group for potential civilian victims. Note the span of control is quickly maximized at the limit of 7:1. What could the IC do prior to this point to keep from getting overwhelmed?  High-Rise Fire with Smoke/Fire Visible from the Street---Multiple Units/One Floor Visible smoke and flames from the street means that the fire has ventilation and will grow fast. Sprinklers are either not effective, not functioning, or not present. This means a well-seated fire that will be much larger and more complex by the time crews get first water on the flames. Conditions for civilians above the fire will only deteriorate as lethal smoke and gases rise into the building. Additional alarms, overhead, command, and tactical channels should be ordered upon arrival. This includes additional ALS capabilities and ambulances with appropriate super­ vision. You can get behind the power curve very quickly (fig. 11-10). As crews ascend and reach the fire floor, that floor will become your *first division.* The supervisor will likely be one of the first company officers to the fire floor; however, they will need to be backfilled with a chief officer if a working fire is confirmed. Division supervisors of fire floors will have the tactical objectives of fire attack *and* primary search on their respective floors. * Lobby/systems group* will be required to gain control of the lobby, control access and elevators, and work with on-site personnel to better ascertain conditions above. In a confirmed fire, this will include utilizing any fire protection systems in the building including water pumps, PA, HVAC control, and so on. Staging will be established as companies muster toward the fire floor. *Identify a staging* *area manager.* The first three alarms will likely go directly to work. Base will be established as the second alarm arrives. *Identify a base manager* and traffic pattern for subsequent alarms as they arrive. Consider an evacuation group supervisor for rapid ascent teams and additional division supervisor and companies above the fire floor to check extension. Depending upon your resource levels and SOGs, this may not occur until your second alarm as the first alarm will be focused on getting water on the fire floor and controlling the lobby. * Expandyour communications plan carefully.* Do not add too many channels too fast; however, waiting too long for radio traffic to be too congested can be too late. Consider a ventilation group supervisor to control pressurization of stairwells and coordination of HVAC with lobby/systems group. If the fire grows beyond the involved floor, consider an RIC group, which may not be properly staffed until your third alarm or later, based upon conditions and VP. Consider a medical group for potential civilian victims. Note the IC is beyond the span of control at 9:1. If the IC does not rearrange the ICS, the span of control will only grow and become completely unmanageable. Radio traffic and accountability is now chaotic. How could this have been prevented? Could expanding the ICS prior to this point prevented confusion and chaos? Yes! See the solution below in the next template.  High-Rise Fire with Smoke/Fire Visible from the Street---Multiple Floors Visible smoke and flames from multiple floors means a structural high-rise fire that could compromise the integrity of the building if not brought under control within a few hours.\ Sprinklers are either not effective, not functioning, or not present. Conditions for civilians above *are* lethal because smoke and gases *have risen* into the building. Additional alarms, over­ head, command, and tactical channels must be ordered upon arrival. This includes additional ALS capabilities and ambulances with appropriate supervision. Any automatic/mutual aid resources must be called if your FD cannot sustain this level of resource demand. Think ahead (fig. 11-11). As crews ascend and reach the fire floor, that floor will become your *first division.* The supervisor will likely be one of the first company officers to the fire floor; however, they will need to be backfilled with a chief officer if a working fire is confirmed. A *second division* will be established for the second fire floor, and a *third additional* *division* above to confine the fire. Division supervisors of fire floors will have the tactical objectives of fire attack *and* primary search on their respective floors. A second stairwell should be identified for evacuation and support. * Lobby/systems group* will be required to gain control of the lobby, control access and elevators, and work with on-site personnel. With more than one floor involved, this will include utilizing any fire protection systems in the building including water pumps, PA, HVAC control, and so on. Staging will be established as companies muster toward the fire floor. *Identify a staging* *area manager.* The first four alarms will likely go directly to work. Base will be established as the second alarm arrives. *Identify a base manager* and traffic pattern for subsequent alarms as they arrive. Utilize law enforcement early to control streets in several directions. Establish an evacuation group supervisor for rapid ascent teams to quickly access upper floors and stairwells. Consider a ventilation group supervisor to control pressurization of stairwells and coordination of HVAC with systems/lobby group. Fig.11-11. A more robust ICS for a larger high- rise fire. Summary power curve, maintain a manageable span of control, and keep the NIOSH 5 from coming into alignment. This can happen exponentially faster on high-rise fires. SAW-CSS-RECSO-VSS tactical considerations for high-rise fires, the tenants of incident command that you have learned, and proactive application of ICS, will allow your members to be aggressive, effective, efficient, and properly supported so they save lives and go home when the work is done. Consider training upon the ICS templates in this chapter and adjust as needed when your turn comes to be the IC on a high-rise fire. Plan ahead! Review Questions 1. Explain the differences between staging and base with regard to a high-rise incident. 2. Define a rapid ascent team. 3. What are some tactical considerations for ventilation of high-rise fires? 4. Describe the role and responsibilities of a lobby/systems group. 5. Explain the use of branches for ICS at a high-rise fire incident. 6. Create an ICS chart for a high-rise fire with smoke visible from the street for a single apartment on the 12th floor of a 15-story residential high-rise building. FESHE Strategy and Tactics (C0279) Related Content The content contained in chapter 11 provides detailed information to assist with instruction and education for all course objectives with a focus on high-rise structures. The chapter format supports the CO279 course outline by speaking specifically to basic division of tactics, rescue, exposures, confinement, ventilation, and salvage for high-rise fires. Access the Tactical Review Guide Appendix C\#5: High-Rise Fire Upper Floors for objectives-based scenario exercise. The information in this chapter can be utilized to support training and educational programs associated with the Emergency Services Delivery Fire Officer IJPR 4.6,4.6.1, 4.6.2, Fire Offi­ cer IIJPR 5.6, 5.6.1, and Fire Officer III 6.6 and 6.6.1. For working high-rise incidents and pre-planning responses, the content in this chapter also supports training and education for Fire Officer III 6.6.3. Develop a plan for the organization given an unmet need for resources that exceed what is available in the organization. Access the Tactical Review Guide Appendix C\#5: High-Rise Fire Upper Floors for 1021 Job Performance Requirement-based scenario exercise for Fire Officer I, II, and III. 1\. Marty Ahrens, "High-Rise Building Fires," *NFPA Research,* November 2016,. nfpa.org/education-and-research/building-and-life-safety/high-rise-buildings